Reflections on my firstborn....

Before I had kids, I assumed they would be like me.  Overall happy and confident, driven, and do well in school.  Then I had Bronwyn.... and I realized that I was really naive.  Not only has she had alot of struggles that I never would have imagined before she was born; but she is so different from me that sometimes the hardest part about being her mom is just knowing how to support her.

Bronwyn's lack of confidence has made it extremely difficult for her to make friends and be in front of people.  We have worked hard on it the last few years.  We have given her lots of tips on how to talk to kids and strengthen friendships and school and church.  We have encouraged her to develop her talents to gain confidence in herself, too.  

Well, this year Todd and I have both seen such a big change in her.  It really started this summer.  Suddenly a new Bronwyn emerged.  I always knew it was in there because I saw glimpses of it often.  And suddenly our little wallflower is making friends, answering questions at church and school, singing out loud, and get this... (wait for it) 

WINNING FIRST PLACE IN THE PTA REFLECTIONS CONTEST!

Yep, you heard me.  Bronwyn entered a dance that she choreographed herself and won!  We are so proud.  Not really that she won.  Of course that is fun and exciting, and gives her an opportunity to learn that hard work pays off.  But proud that she worked SO hard.  She practiced for weeks.  And this is a child who does not exactly have a track record of starting a project and finishing it.

Here is her dance:  

She had NO idea that she had won when I picked her up from school.  It was very fun to see her eyes light up with excitement.  I am so happy for her self esteem.  Bronwyn also entered a picture into the visual arts category that didn't place, but here is a cute picture of her with her picture.

The biggest changes I have seen in Bronwyn that last several months are: more confidence, more outgoing, and more passionate.  Her love of music is growing, and she is enjoying piano alot more this year.  She is even making up her own songs, and ASKING me if she CAN practice piano.  I love hearing her play while I work in the kitchen or feed the baby.  She has an intense interest in bugs and nature, especially butterflies.  She spent endless hours this summer catching butterflies and observing them.  And now almost every book she brings home from the library is about butterflies.  She was the kid that always stayed in the backyard until dark.  The best days for her were when Todd had a yard project that kept him out most of the day.  Magsy and Ty would tire out and come inside, but Bronwyn stayed out until Todd forced her in.  She climbed the cherry tree and hunted bugs!  Here are some great pictures she and Todd got during one of their adventures.

Those are tiny bug eggs Bronwyn discovered on the back of a leaf in our garden.  She was so excited!  For now, she wants to be a scientist when she grows up.  She loves learning about science, and luckily for her, her parents are total science nerds.  

With the progress I have seen in Bronwyn lately, I really feel like the sky is the limit for her.  She is finally working towards her potential and it is so fun to watch!